‘Strange thing’ plagued city’s waste water plant

'Strange thing' plagued city's waste water plant - GREAT BEND ...  Great Bend Tribune

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Nov 26, 2023 - 10:30
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‘Strange thing’ plagued city’s waste water plant

Issues at Great Bend Waste Water Treatment Facility Resolved

Last weekend, the Great Bend Waste Water Treatment Facility encountered some problems, as reported by Public Works Director Jason Cauley during the City Council meeting on Monday night. However, all the issues have been successfully resolved.

Investigation and Troubleshooting

Cauley stated that on Thursday, the plant operators noticed that the process building was not receiving any waste. In response, they initiated an investigation to identify the cause of the problem. Despite attempting to back-flush the system and diverting other water through it on Friday, they were unable to resolve the issue.

In an effort to clear the standing water and gain access to the processor, the staff decided to vacuum out the Return Activated Sludge (RAS) box. This concrete container allows wastewater to enter and some of the sludge returns to the treatment facility to nourish the microbial organisms responsible for breaking down the waste.

Discovery and Resolution

On Saturday, it was discovered that there was approximately 4 feet of solid sludge at the bottom of the RAS box, which turned out to be the root cause of the problem. The sludge was promptly cleaned out, and operations returned to normal. Cauley emphasized the significance of this incident by stating that it is a rare occurrence. The team is documenting the situation through photographs for future reference.

Cauley acknowledged that one of the operators, who has been with the facility for 10 years, had never witnessed the RAS box being completely drained or emptied. However, they will continue to monitor the situation and are prepared to take appropriate action if similar issues arise in the future.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – The Great Bend Waste Water Treatment Facility plays a crucial role in achieving SDG 6 by treating wastewater and ensuring the availability of clean water.
  2. Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – The facility’s efforts to resolve operational issues demonstrate their commitment to maintaining efficient and reliable infrastructure for wastewater treatment.
  3. Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – The successful resolution of the problems at the treatment facility contributes to creating sustainable cities and communities by ensuring the proper functioning of essential infrastructure.

 

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